In light of the UK Government’s announcement of financial support to help new car buyers choose a zero emission vehicle, typically an electric car, it seems that the opportunity to strengthen confidence in used EVs has been missed, suggests the BVRLA’s director of policy and public affairs Thomas McLellan.
Are used EVs and their buyers forgotten?
Everyone is talking about the new Electric Car Grant, with generous funding levels (over 10% of their value) for a set band of cars.
While I am sure all parts of the market will welcome more retail customers willing to make the jump to EVs, as the ZEV Mandate ramps up, it entirely misses the most important aspect of this transition – the used EV market and its buyers.
While many new EVs are indeed more expensive than many new ICE cars, there are really well-priced, fantastic EVs on the market right now – in the used market. Just on Sunday, DfT press releases highlighted how two in five used EVs are under £20,000.
If we want to open up the transition, making it fair, really boosting consumer sentiment, then we need action in the space where most people actually buy their vehicles and where it will be hardest to change people’s minds.
It’s great that new EVs get more support, but I cannot help but be disappointed that there was no link to used in the Electric Car Grant.
Of course, some direct used grant would have been most welcome, but access to the scheme could have been linked to the car having a battery health certificate or that OEMs develop specific used EV approved programmes or commit to a dealer training and support programmes for used EVs.
At no cost, the used market could have been helped, and any argument that these would have made conditionality too complex will wilt in the face of the system that has been rolled out.
The BVRLA will keep pushing on what we see as the critical issue, and I hope this grant does not impact RVs and erode customer benefits. Let’s hope swarms of retail customers encouraged by the news reach out to dealers and many wash into the more affordable used EV categories and find a stunning deal for their next motor.
Author: Thomas McLellan, director of policy and public affairs, BVRLA